Israeli nationalists and police clashed with Palestinians in Jerusalem Sunday during controversial Jerusalem Day commemorations, marking when during the 1967 Six Day war Israel seized and later annexed East Jerusalem.

Thousands of Ultra Orthodox, nationalist Israelis, and high-school students marched from Jerusalem’s city centre to the Damascus Gate entrance to the Old City as part of the commemorative events, Middle East Eye reported.

Approximately 100 Palestinians near Damascus Gate protested the march. According to Ma’an News Agency, at least 10 Palestinians were arrested as the protest was dispersed by Israeli police.

"This rally marks a new occupation of Jerusalem every year. It is a painful and tough day for us with Israeli flags waved across the city which is turned into a military barracks and we the indigenous residents feel like aliens," Abu Rami, who lives in the Old City, told Ma'an News Agency.

Residents of Jerusalem’s Old City Muslim Quarter were required to close shop fronts and homes in preparation for the March, which witnessed crowds pour through the Old City’s narrow streets and right-wing Israelis chanting and performing “flag dances,” according to Ma’an News Agency.

Israeli youth participating in the march chanted "Death to all Arabs!", "Demolish the mosque, build the temple!" and ״Take revenge on the Palestinians!” according to Middle East Eye reports.

Middle East Eye reported that almost 500 Israeli protesters attacked journalists reporting on the event, throwing sticks and trying to break their equipment. There were no reports that Israeli protesters were detained by police.

Israeli President Rivlin used his Jerusalem Day address to call for peace in the contested city. “As a Jerusalemite and a lover of the city, I ask today about peace in my united Jerusalem, which stands above all bargaining.”

He said that Jerusalem, “belongs first and foremost to its people, and to all its residents: secular, religious and Haredi, Arabs and Jews. And in my united Jerusalem there is west and there is an east and there are no secondary sons,” adding,” there are no secondary Jerusalemites.”

A Palestinian resident of Jerusalem’s Old City, who was blocked from walking to his home, expressed dismay about the event to Middle East Eye saying, "Jerusalem is a city of peace, but we suffer from this march, which is backed by the Israeli government, who has brought settlers from across the West Bank, paying for their buses and food during the march."